The 1957 Corvette, with its Motorama-inspired styling and state-of-the-art fuel-injected 283 V-8, is the quintessential model of the original C1 generation. Presented here is an exceptionally rare find – an original and unrestored Aztec Copper ’57 fuelie that has been preserved in one owner’s care for the past 45 years. Built in July 1957, this Corvette is one of only 1,040 built during the first year of Rochester fuel injection, a desirable option that was seen on just 14% of the model’s production. Featuring an EM-code 250 bhp engine, three-speed manual gearbox, two-tone paint, and hardtop, this otherwise well-equipped car was ordered without a radio. Its Aztec Copper paint is also extremely rare; only 452 Corvettes were finished in this color for 1957, all paired with beige upholstery.
Retailed by famous Southern California Corvette dealer Harry Mann Chevrolet, this Corvette’s first recorded owner was Frank Louis Brown of Culver City, California. In 1977, the car was sold to the current owner, a Pennsylvania-based collector with a passion for unrestored Corvettes. Unlike most collectors of the era, who typically restored such cars to show condition, the consignor always preferred factory-original survivors and preserved his collection of C1 and C2 Corvettes in as-found condition. His unique vision as a collector led The New York Times to feature him in a 2011 profile titled “A Quest for Corvettes Just as the Factory Built Them.”
Today, this outstanding unrestored Corvette presents as a true time capsule, possessing a wonderful, consistent patina throughout. The consignor reports that the car retains its original Aztec Copper paint, with upholstery and carpeting remaining in fine unrestored condition. The condition of the engine bay, trunk, and undercarriage appear consistent; the engine pad can be seen to be stamped with the EM suffix, the correct model Rochester fuel-injection unit is present, and the original doorjamb ID tag remains in place. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer displayed 71,533 miles.
Although no longer registered in California, the car still wears its 1963-issued California black license plates – “GBT 105” – with Harry Mann Corvette accessory frames while service stickers located in the driver’s doorjamb further attest to its early Los Angeles-area provenance. Included with the sale is an original jack, 1975 California registration card, black plates, and keys.
Never before exhibited, this well-preserved Corvette is eligible for the Bloomington Gold SURVIVOR and NCRS Bowtie judging programs and would be a welcome addition to any field of preservation-class cars. Given its remarkable condition, long-term collector ownership, rare color scheme, and Southern California roots, this car is bound to draw attention wherever it is shown. Gooding & Company is delighted to present this unique ’57 fuelie at auction and recommends it to any collector in search of a significant Corvette.
